Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm and discharging it in public.
However, Magistrate Twanet Olivier granted the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader permission to appeal, meaning he will not be taken into custody while the legal process continues.
Delivering her ruling, Olivier stressed that Malema’s actions were not impulsive but part of a deliberate sequence of events. She added that although his political position did not influence the court’s decision, his prominence and large following meant he should be held accountable for his conduct.
Malema, 45, showed little visible reaction in court as the sentence was read out. But outside, he struck a defiant tone, claiming—without providing evidence—that the case was politically motivated.
“They are trying by all means to silence this voice. They will never win,” he said, accusing unnamed forces of targeting him.
Supporters gathered in large numbers, singing struggle songs and chanting in solidarity. When news broke that he would be allowed to appeal, crowds celebrated, shouting “sigoduka naye” (“we are leaving with him today”).
The conviction stems from a case concluded last year, where Malema was found guilty on five charges, including unlawful firearm possession, firing a weapon in public, and reckless endangerment.
A long-time controversial and influential figure, Malema first rose to prominence as head of the youth wing of the African National Congress before being expelled after a fallout with then-president Jacob Zuma. He later founded the Economic Freedom Fighters, which has built a strong support base with its calls for land redistribution and economic reform.
His legal troubles partly stem from a case brought by AfriForum after footage of the firearm incident circulated online. The group maintains the case was about unlawful conduct, not politics, though tensions between it and Malema’s party remain high.
Malema has also faced previous legal challenges, including a hate speech ruling linked to remarks made at a political rally. Despite repeated controversies, he continues to command strong support and remains one of South Africa’s most polarising political figures.
